BODY ARMOR: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

[scootle]

Figured out how to adjust the 5.11 Tac-Tec carrier...

This is a great thread. Thanks to all the contributors. Curious if anyone has had experiences with the 5.11 "Tac Tec" plate carrier?

http://www.511tactical.com/tac-tec-plate-carrier.html

Wondering if anyone has any clever ways to tweak the one-size-fits-all type carriers such as the 5.11 to raise the plates up slightly... With my skinny frame, I think my plates are riding a little on the low side (I know the front should be approx at my sternal notch). Otherwise, this setup seems pretty comfortable with a set of Alumina/UHMWPE F/R plates coming in just over 11 lbs total.

So it turns out the 5.11 Tac-Tec is actually more adjustable than I realized... just requires you to pull the quick-release cables to reorient the shoulder straps and/or cummerbund straps to the sizing you require, then rethread the entire setup. Not too horrible, but a little tedious. Good thing you probably only need to do it once.

Im curious what you guys use to carry/store your armor in. I have two level 2a kevlar vests. Im looking for a medium size duffle or even a back pack I can carry my vests in discreetly to and from work. I don't really want to leave kevlar in my truck exposed to the elements. Heres what I use to store them at home with.

I've seen ppl use coolers too. What say you cal guns?

I too am curious how folks store UHMWPE plates in their cars for transit/temporary storage due to temperature concerns... is it really that sensitive? How do LEO store body armor (rifle plates) in the trunks of their cruisers while on-duty unless they primarily run AR500 plates?

[Steve_In_29]

....I too am curious how folks store UHMWPE plates in their cars for transit/temporary storage due to temperature concerns... is it really that sensitive? How do LEO store body armor (rifle plates) in the trunks of their cruisers while on-duty unless they primarily run AR500 plates?

Aren't LEOs usually using Dept supplied plates? If so they aren't worried about degradation as the plates get replaced frequently for liability reasons I would imagine.

[SideWinder11]

ARFCOM has quite a large thread about plate carriers and armor.

From my reading these are highly recommended use code USAMADE for 25% off and free shipping

Level IV $253 for two multi curved plates.

http://highcomsecurity.com/collections/plates/products/guardian-4sas-7

What are your thoughts?

[97F1504RAD]

ARFCOM has quite a large thread about plate carriers and armor.

From my reading these are highly recommended use code USAMADE for 25% off and free shipping

Level IV $253 for two multi curved plates.

http://highcomsecurity.com/collections/plates/products/guardian-4sas-7

What are your thoughts?

That's a great deal on plates, all the reviews seem to be good.

[DeliveryBoy]

Any news on the body armor front?

[wpage]

Seems fair for that level of protection...

[smashycrashy]

D-r appears to be on hiatus, will be interested in hearing his thoughts on the new Midwest armor offerings

[Steve_In_29]

ARFCOM has quite a large thread about plate carriers and armor.

From my reading these are highly recommended use code USAMADE for 25% off and free shipping

Level IV $253 for two multi curved plates.

http://highcomsecurity.com/collections/plates/products/guardian-4sas-7

What are your thoughts?

No comment on the quality of plates themselves but either they upped the price or your math is off. The only plate listed as multi-curved is $169 each so x2 = $338 a pair.

These are ceramic based plates so a user needs to be extremely careful with how they treat the plate. The military uses this style due to it's lighter weight but anytime the plates get banged around they are swapped out for a new set to maintain max protection. As civilians we don't have the luxury of stopping by Supply to survey our suspect plates after inadvertently dropping our vest on the concrete.

For us the AR500 plates (while definitely heavier) are MUCH more durable and keep working through MANY more hits then the lighter ceramic or poly plates will.

[Blackrain7557]

ARFCOM has quite a large thread about plate carriers and armor.

From my reading these are highly recommended use code USAMADE for 25% off and free shipping

Level IV $253 for two multi curved plates.

http://highcomsecurity.com/collections/plates/products/guardian-4sas-7

What are your thoughts?

I own a pair of these, got single curve for $223 shipped, I figured at that price it was worth the money. By the time you add in multi-curve and extra coating on AR500 the price is comparable.

And sure AR500 can take more hits, but that energy is being transferred to you. Ceramic is made to dissipate that energy through the failure of the plate. Trade-off's, either system will serve someone well.

Either way I suggest either IIIA plate backers or trauma pads behind the armor system as taking a hit with either ceramic or steel is going to hurt.

[SideWinder11]

No comment on the quality of plates themselves but either they upped the price or your math is off. The only plate listed as multi-curved is $169 each so x2 = $338 a pair.

These are ceramic based plates so a user needs to be extremely careful with how they treat the plate. The military uses this style due to it's lighter weight but anytime the plates get banged around they are swapped out for a new set to maintain max protection. As civilians we don't have the luxury of stopping by Supply to survey our suspect plates after inadvertently dropping our vest on the concrete.

For us the AR500 plates (while definitely heavier) are MUCH more durable and keep working through MANY more hits then the lighter ceramic or poly plates will.

Reading comprehension my friend.
Read my post again and you'll see the 25% off code that I ever so kindly listed which brings that price down to that which I stated.

[97F1504RAD]

No comment on the quality of plates themselves but either they upped the price or your math is off. The only plate listed as multi-curved is $169 each so x2 = $338 a pair.

These are ceramic based plates so a user needs to be extremely careful with how they treat the plate. The military uses this style due to it's lighter weight but anytime the plates get banged around they are swapped out for a new set to maintain max protection. As civilians we don't have the luxury of stopping by Supply to survey our suspect plates after inadvertently dropping our vest on the concrete.

For us the AR500 plates (while definitely heavier) are MUCH more durable and keep working through MANY more hits then the lighter ceramic or poly plates will.

Price is correct if coupon code is still valid and it was when I purchased my two plates with it a couple weeks back.

[Steve_In_29]

Reading comprehension my friend.
Read my post again and you'll see the 25% off code that I ever so kindly listed which brings that price down to that which I stated.

Sorry missed that but the rest of my post is actually the MORE important info and still valid so take it how you will. The military can depend on ceramic's since they have a supply chain to quickly replace any that become suspect. You drop yours and YOU are laying out the replacement cost or simply hoping that nothing was damaged but not knowing for sure until that CRITICAL instant. Since the only way to know for sure is via an x-ray which most of us have no access to either.

[SideWinder11]

That's a risk I'm willing to take. The cost to me maybe less of a hit than it is to others so it's relative to each person.

I'd take the highcoms anyday for a few bucks more over those heavy AR500 plates.

If you're really that concerned team Wendy makes training plates you can use for training then keep you ceramic plates for SHTF

[97F1504RAD]

That's a risk I'm willing to take. The cost to me maybe less of a hit than it is to others so it's relative to each person.

I'd take the highcoms anyday for a few bucks more over those heavy AR500 plates.

If you're really that concerned team Wendy makes training plates you can use for training then keep you ceramic plates for SHTF

I agree and on top of that from all the research I have done the ceramic plates are not as fragile as some think. Can you be careless and through them around like an AR500 plate, No but then again I don't treat any of my gear that way so I am not to concerned with it.

[Steve_In_29]

That's a risk I'm willing to take. The cost to me maybe less of a hit than it is to others so it's relative to each person.

I'd take the highcoms anyday for a few bucks more over those heavy AR500 plates.

If you're really that concerned team Wendy makes training plates you can use for training then keep you ceramic plates for SHTF

Your life so it's your risk to take and I won't argue with that.